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- Tonight, the case of thecross at the Supreme Court.
The new ruling that'sbeing hailed a victory
for religious freedomand the First Amendment.
Plus, the president warnsIran has made a big mistake.
The latest move causing growing concerns
of possible militaryaction in the Middle East.
And the story of a youngChristian kidnapped
by militants in Nigeria andher mom's faith-filled mission
to secure her daughter's freedom.
All this and more tonight on Faith Nation.
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The president presentingthe world with a cliffhanger
on how he'll handle Iran.
Welcome to Faith Nation, I'm John Jessup.
- And I'm Jenna Browder.
You'll find out how the US will respond.
That was the president's message today
after the downing of an American drone.
- The Iranian regime claims the move
came after the US violated its airspace.
CBN News National SecurityCorrespondent Eric Philips
joins us now with moreon the escalating tension
in the Middle East, Eric.
- John and Jenna, the president is calling
Iran's downing of a US drone a new wrinkle
and a big mistake as thewar of words between the US
and Iran turns into a military escalation.
- They made a very big mistake.
- [Reporter] Mr. President--
- [Eric] President Trump'ssomewhat cryptic response
to Iran shooting down anunarmed US drone leaving a plume
of smoke over the Gulf of OmanThursday in this DOD video.
(speaking in foreign language)
Iranian officials say thedrone, similar to this one,
was hovering in their airspace
when they used surface-to-airmissiles to shoot it down,
but during a Pentagon briefingthe head of the US Air Force
Central Command categorically denied that.
- [Joseph] This was an unprovoked attack
on a US surveillance assetthat had not violated
Iranian airspace at anytime during its mission.
This attack is an attemptto disrupt our ability
to monitor the areafollowing recent threats
to international shipping andthe free flow of commerce.
Iranian reports that thisaircraft was shot down over Iran
are categorically false.
- [Eric] US militaryofficials say the drone
was over the Strait of Hormuzin international airspace.
The drone attack followsa string of incidents
over the last couple of months including
six commercial ships thatwere attacked in the region.
Iran suspected in all of them.
Word that Iranian proxies wereloading missiles onto boats
within range of US navalassets and other threats
all in response to US-ledsanctions against Iran
after the US pulled out oftheir Iran nuclear deal.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are split
on what the next move should be.
- The only way Iran changes its behavior
is if they believe Americawill put options on the table
that would create pain for their regime.
- But let us get the facts asto how we got to this place.
I don't want to make anycharacterizations about it,
but I will say that westarted to lose credibility
on the subject when we walked away
from the Iran nuclear agreement.
I wouldn't respond tothe attack on the drone.
I think we should just continuedoing what we're doing.
- If we do nothing, it justencourages Iran further.
- [Eric] The presidentbelieves that attack
could have been the result of human error.
- Somebody who was loose and stupid.
- Here's what I believeabout Donald Trump.
He's a deal maker, he'strying to avoid conflict.
But this is truly adefining moment for him.
- The president's remarksdownplaying the drone attack
came on the heels of a briefing
with his national securityadvisor, secretary of state,
and acting secretaryof defense who was set
to step down amid the risingtensions with Iran on Monday.
He'll leave the helm of the Pentagon
without a confirmed secretary of defense
for the longest time since thelate 1940s, John and Jenna.
- All right, Eric Philips,thank you very much.
Well, to the Supreme Courttonight where it was decided
today the BladensburgPeace Cross can stay.
The Supreme Court rulingby an overwhelming majority
that a memorial cross notfar from the nation's capital
can remain on public land.
- The high court'sdecision hailed a victory
by religious liberty advocates.
CBN's Abigail Robertson has the latest
on the ruling and the reaction.
- The Supreme Court issued abig win for religious liberty
ruling seven-two that theBladensburg memorial can stand.
A 40-foot cross honoring49 men from the area
lost in World War One.
- The Supreme Court has sidedwith reality and sensibility.
- [Abigail] The legal showdown started
when the American Humanist Association
challenged that the crosssitting on public land
violated the separationof church and state.
- When I heard they wanted to take it down
it just, it struck at myheart, it was terrible.
- [Abigail] The memorialis in the shape of a cross
to mark most graves of thewar's fallen across Europe.
- There's gonna be apresumptive constitutionality
for these religious symbols and monuments
and memorials and practicesacross our country.
That is a huge, that's a sea change.
- [Abigail] KellyShackelford, chief counsel
for the First Liberty Institutesays the legal precedent
in the case of the cross was flawed.
- They said that everything's changing.
This 50-year oldprecedent, this Lemon case
where separation of church andstate and all these concepts
that are not in thewords of the Constitution
were brought up and thatled to a lot of hostility
by the government to religion.
They said, look, in these cases
Lemon is not gonna be applied anymore.
- [Abigail] At stake inthe Peace Cross ruling
was this dire scenario.
- If this memorial was ableto be destroyed, that means
that bulldozer's gonna turnfrom Bladensburg and roll
across the river over toArlington National Cemetery
where we'll start knockingdown the Argonne Cross,
the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice,and maybe even make its way
down to Teddy and Bobby Kennedy's graves
which themselves have gravemarkers in the shape of a cross.
- [Abigail] Shackelford claimsthe Lemon versus Kurtzman
case of 1971 has been usedto attack nativity scenes,
veterans' memorials, menorahsand 10 Commandments monuments.
- So what's happeningnow is we're going back
to the Constitution which isfavorable to religious freedom.
- [Abigail] Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
one of two justices who dissented,
argues when a cross is onpublic property the government
may be presumed to endorseits religious content.
- The Founders would beshocked by that idea.
We are a religious people witha religious heritage that,
there's a Moses holdingthe 10 Commandments
in the Supreme Court.
- First Liberty is alsocelebrating the high court
throwing out an Oregon court'sruling against their clients
who refused to bake a cakefor a same-sex wedding.
Reporting from the Supreme Court,
Abigail Robertson, CBN News.
- Thanks, Abby.
Well, on the campaign2020 front, new polling
finds President Trump andDemocratic front runner Joe Biden
are neck and neck in thecrucial swing state of Florida
where President Trump traveled Tuesday
to officially launchhis reelection campaign.
The former vice presidentis just narrowly ahead
of the president with47.3% of voter support.
That compared to the president's 46.8%.
Just under 6% of voters areundecided in the early polling.
That could be a snapshotof what is to come
in next year's general election.
- And joining us now are Marc Lotter,
director of strategic communications
with the Trump 2020 reelection campaign
and CBN Chief PoliticalAnalyst David Brody.
Gentlemen, thanks for being with us.
- Thanks for having me.
- Marc, let's just start with you.
So we just saw that pollessentially showing Trump
and Biden tied, whatdoes that signal to you?
- Well, it signals it's way too early
to be doing polling on a 2020 election.
And we were still 17 months away.
And if we'd gone backto the polling in 2007,
you know, HillaryClinton and Rudy Giuliani
would have been the nominees.
We know that didn't work out that way.
So I understand that we like to do it,
but it really doesn'tprovide any information
to anyone right now exceptjust kind of a running tab
on where the, you know,it's not very meaningful.
- Okay.- Yeah, 2016,
we saw a lot of polls got it wrong.
Marc, what are the metricsthe campaign is using
to really take the pulseof the American voters?
- Well, right now obviously we can look
at the excitement andenthusiasm for the president
and his message, we sawit on display in Orlando
before Tuesday where125,000 people signed up
for tickets to Tuesday's night rally.
I was out there on Monday,saw people lined up
for 42 hours before the president spoke.
So there's a lot ofways we can judge that.
We also talked about the waywe can capture information
and talk specific issues with people.
We can track theirpassion for these issues,
where it is driving them.
That is the most informativething we can do right now
because we're still a year awayfrom even having an opponent
let alone being matchedup against that person.
So right now it's where'sthe president delivering
on his promise to thevoters, and then we'll worry
about who we have as anopponent once they get one.
- David, turning overseas to Iran,
it's not just a foreign diplomacy issue.
What are the political implications
for not just President Trumpbut also candidate Trump?
- Well, all eyes willdefinitely be on the president.
Obviously number one from anational security perspective,
but there are political considerations.
There are always political considerations.
And look, this plays to hisstrength which is his strength.
I mean, he's a law and order guy.
And look, I also think thatwe're in a situation now that,
do you really want tomess with President Trump?
I mean, not only hashe obviously delivered
on a lot of promises, but beyond that,
and I say this in the nicest way possible,
but he's a bit of a wild card.
In other words, he may do it, he may not
depending on what the issue is.
I don't think Iran wants tomess at all with President Trump
especially because of this situation
because it was over international waters
which gives Trump a little bit more
of the moral standingto do something here.
- David, quick followup, it's been nonstop
with this president and the news.
Do you think undecidedvoters and particularly
the crucial block of independentsare tired of all this?
- Well, I think there's a block of them
that are probably dealing withsomewhat of Trump fatigue.
I mean, I don't think there's any question
that the undecideds and theindependents wrestle with that.
But at the same time this president
can go ahead and show thathe has promise after promise
that he has delivered on, andso I think, no pun intended,
but he hopes that trumps what happens
with the fatigue aspect as it relates
to independents and undecideds, yeah.
Thank you so much, I workedon that all day, by the way.
- Marc, you know, Democratsare just ramping up their calls
for impeachment, how doyou see this playing out
if they do go down that route?
What does this mean forthe Democratic Party?
- I really hate to think aboutthis in terms of politics
because this should rise above politics.
I mean, the Constitution setout the parameters for this
to be rare and exceptional circumstances.
It's only been invoked actually twice
in our nation's history,and yet you have Democrats
who are trying to placatea radical, socialist base
that are filled with Trumpderangement syndrome.
Nancy Pelosi is barely hangingon to control of that caucus
and they're trying todrag her down that path.
If they do it'll be somethingthat the American people
will have to judge, butI hate to think of it
in terms of politics even though I'm sure
there could be arguments madethat would be an advantage
to the president, I don'tthink we should think that way.
- David, this could get outof hand for the Democrats.
- Yeah, it can, andthey have to be careful
with those 40 Republicanor districts that flipped
from Republican toDemocrat, that's the key.
- All right, David,Marc, thank you so much.
- Thank you.- You bet.
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- Canada's prime ministerat the White House today.
The latest on his meetingwith President Trump
when we come back.
Trade headlining a meetingbetween President Trump
and Canadian Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau today.
- Their Oval Office sit down happening
as a new trade deal betweenthe two countries and Mexico
comes closer to becoming reality.
CBN News White House Correspondent
Ben Kennedy has the details.
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- President Trump callsthis the largest trade deal
ever made, but it's up theHouse to put it to a vote.
Trump says he thinks Speaker Nancy Pelosi
will do the right thing.
One day after Mexico ratified it.
- Mexico is thrilled, you saw the vote.
- [Ben] President Trump is pressing
Canada's prime minister to follow suit.
- Which just brings us into a position
where we're not competing with each other.
We're competing against the world.
- [Ben] The United States,Mexico, Canada Trade Agreement
or USMCA replaces the 25-year-old
North American Free Trade Agreement.
Earlier this year PresidentTrump removed US steel
and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico
clearing a roadblock to push through
a North American trade deal.
- We were very pleased withthe lifting of the tariffs
on steel and aluminum.- Yeah.
- [Ben] The deal just got the green light
from Mexican lawmakers Wednesdaywith a vote of 114 to four.
- We need to get this done.
We need to reunify oureconomies, reduce trade barriers
so that we can compete.
- [Ben] It's reportedCanada is now waiting
for the trade deal to movethrough the US Congress
before taking it up inthe House of Commons.
- Canada needs a new NAFTAmore than we do, really.
I mean, we all benefit,but it's really important
for Canada, so much of Canada's trade
is obviously with theirneighbor to the south.
- What's the holdup on Capitol Hill?
- What is the holdup on Capitol Hill?
That's a great question.
There's almost no doubt thatthere would be plenty of votes
in the Senate to ratify this.
The problem is in theHouse of Representatives.
And as you know that isnow ruled by Nancy Pelosi.
- I really believe that Nancy Pelosi
and the House will approve it.
I think the Senate willapprove it rapidly.
It's gonna be very bipartisan.
It's great for the farmers, manufacturers.
- How soon will we seethe economic impact?
- I think almost immediately.- Okay.
- I think it would justhave a, be like taking
a champagne bottle and shaking it up
and taking the cork off.
I think it would just be very relieving
to the business communityand a lot of our exports.
- There is now a sense of urgency
to get this trade dealpassed with President Trump
set to meet with ChinesePresident Xi next week
at the G20 in Japan.
Mexico's president says one reason
it got overwhelmingsupport in their country
is it gives confidence to domestic
and even international investors.
That's the latest at the White House.
Ben Kennedy, CBN News.
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- Still ahead on FaithNation, why one woman
traveled from Nigeria to the United States
to seek help for the sake of her daughter.
Well, China, Russia,and Iran and North Korea
are among some of theworst places in the world
for human trafficking.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
released a new State Departmentreport on the issue today
saying the US is sending thestrongest message possible
that trafficking will not be tolerated.
- Human trafficking is a stainas well on all of humanity.
We detest it becauseit fragrantly violates
the unalienable rights thatbelong to every human being.
Every person everywhereis inherently vested
with a profound, inherent equal dignity.
America was founded on apromise to defend those rights
including life, liberty,and the pursuit of justice.
But too often we've fallen short
and we cannot fallshort on this challenge.
- And right now 25 million people
are being trafficked around the world
including here in America.
- Right, Family ResearchCouncil President Tony Perkins
is the new chair of the US Commission
on International Religious Freedom.
His first act, taking up the case
of 16-year-old Leah Sharibu, ayoung Nigerian Christian girl
declared a slave forlife by Muslim militants.
Leah's mom traveled toWashington this week
on a mission to secure her freedom.
Rebecca Sharibu has little to smile about,
grieving a loss no parent should bear.
- My name is Rebecca.
I come here to plead the government of US
to please help me for her release.
- [John] Her daughter Leahwas kidnapped at school
along with 109 othergirls taken by Boko Haram,
a deadly Nigerian terrorgroup with ties to ISIS.
The Nigerian governmentnegotiated the release
of each girl except for Leah.
Her captors wouldn't let her go
unless she renounced her Christian faith.
At just 14, Leah refused.
- She chose faith over freedom
when it would have been so easy to cave.
- [John] For six months Leah's mom
had no idea whether she was dead or alive
until August 2018 when BokoHaram released this photo
and a recording of Leahpleading for her life.
(speaking in foreign language)
So from February to Augustyou had no information.
- No information.- No information.
- What was it like when you saw the video
with your daughter wearingthe hijab and on the mat?
(speaking in foreign language)
- [Translator] Immediately I saw it,
I just started crying out weeping.
- [John] And it's not just Rebecca's.
Tears flow throughoutthis West African nation.
About 2,000 Nigerians died last year
in a dispute portrayed by the media
as a clash between farmers and herdsmen.
- We had to let the worldknow what's happening
because they keep this narrativeof herder farmer conflict.
It's not that way at all.
- [John] Instead AlheriMagaji and Mercy Maisamari
call it a religious campaignto oppress Christians.
- A bill was just passed bythe National House of Assembly
saying that preachersare going to be regulated
and their license renewed every year.
So we believe Kadunastate is a testing ground
for what plans they havein Nigeria as a whole.
- [John] They're speaking out
with great risk to their own lives
because Fulani Muslimsnow run the country.
- Someone has to seewhat is really happening.
And if God says, it's you,then you can't run away
from the responsibilityof being the one to talk.
- This really is a jihadthat is raging in Nigeria
and that we are ramping up to a genocide.
- Now 16, Leah's bravestand is encouraging others.
- As a Christian I'm not afraid.
I want to stand for my faithon behalf of my people.
- [John] Even pushing her own mother
who's never once left her village
to travel thousands ofmiles to the United States
desperately seeking help.
- Donald Trump. (speakingin foreign language)
- I have come to pleadwith your government,
to plead with President Donald Trump,
my son's name is Donald, so Donald Trump,
I need him to help mehave my daughter released.
- And Leah Sharibu also told me she wanted
to thank the whole worldand especially Christians
for standing with herfamily and praying for them.
We'll be right back.
Welcome back, well earlier today
we reported on the war memorial cross
the Supreme Court willlet stand in Maryland,
but here in the nation's capital
a different war memorial isdrawing special attention.
- The Vietnam Veteran Memorial, each day
people are leaving a special memento.
Gabe Lamonica visited to show us,
so what's been left behind?
- Close to 60,000 USservice members were killed
in the nearly two-decade-long Vietnam War.
In the nearly four decadessince this memorial was built
some 230,000 items have beenleft here in their memory.
- [Man] We are here inAn Khe, South Vietnam.
- [Man] I am in Bravo Troop1st of the 9th Cavalry
and I really can't think ofall that much to tell you
except I'm doing fine.
- [Gabe] Before his deathin a helicopter crash,
First Lieutenant Robert Prine
had only been in Vietnam for 20 days.
- [Robert] Also would appreciate a letter.
- [Gabe] Prine carriedthese audio tapes with him
before sending them home.
- [Robert] Keep care of yourself.
- [Gabe] For years visitorshave carried things
and left them at this wall.
- They say as much about usas it says about the wall.
- [Gabe] The mementosare picked up each night
by national park rangerslike Kawther Elmi.
- It runs the gamut fromculturally significant items
and specific to the war tothings coming from children
like dear soldier, and it'sjust the piece of paper
with their name saying,thank you for your service.
- [Gabe] From prostheticlegs to personal letters
from the Purple Heart to religiousmedals and a family Bible
the items are kept herein a government warehouse
under the care of Janet Folkerts.
Some of the things theylet go of are heavy,
like this Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
The hero bike was left
by a group of veterans from Wisconsin.
- [Janet] They say it'snot to be ridden on
until all 37 men are brought home.
- Other things carrymemories, like the kimono
one soldier sent home twodays before his death.
- [Janet] Sent to Liz sayingit will match her aqua eyes.
- [Gabe] She kept it for 40years before letting it go.
Not everything makes the cut.
- We get a lot of reallyrandom unknown items.
- [Gabe] But Ranger Elmi saysthe things they leave behind
provide a connection tothis hallowed ground.
- There's this umbilicalcord between our response
to these people's sacrifice.
- The names of every Americanservice member killed
or missing in the Vietnam Warare etched into this wall.
The objects people leavehere tell their stories.
Gabe Lamonica, CBN News, Washington.
- It's really neat to see what they do
with those personal artifacts.- Yeah, and motorcycle.
- Who would've thunk it?- All sorts of stuff.
Yeah, you never know.- Yeah.
Well, that is a wrap fortonight's Faith Nation.
- Have a great evening.
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